Chapter545 But I Don't Want To
Natalie had no patience for those who were disagreeable and shameless, showing her displeasure openly. "Of course I mind."
Undeterred and almost amused, Leonard asked, "Miss Watson, do you have a problem with me? It's peculiar how you treat me differently than the rest, even though we've just met today. It leads one to wonder... do you harbor some... special sentiments towards me?”
Special treatment? Absolutely, in the form of undisguised distaste!
That's because you're more annoying than anyone else!
But Leonard's words twisted it as if Natalie had a particular emotional investment in him. Curiosity and distinction often birth romantic feelings.
"Oliver." Susan spoke up hesitantly.
"Fine," Oliver abruptly consented, his relaxed gaze sweeping over Leonard.
Susan cast a sly, provocative glance at Natalie, as if to say what does it matter if you disagree? Oliver's on board.
Sharon's lips curled into a pleased smile. She had been slightly envious of Natalie before—Natalie always seemed to outshine her, making it hard for her to get ahead. But now, Natalie had become the butt of jokes within their social circle—and Sharon was convinced it was all Natalie's fault!
Natalie's previously warm expression froze, a dull ache in her chest as her fingers, resting on her knees, slowly curled in, grasping the fabric of her pants.
Was Oliver loosening up because of Susan, yet again? Were his previous stances just spur-of-the-moment decisions? Natalie thought bitterly. Childhood bonds really were different.
The backyard was dominated by a large table, seating exactly twelve—perfect for a full gathering.
At mealtime, Susan confidently took her place to the left of Oliver.
"I'm sitting next to Oliver!" Lilian protested, eyeing Susan's spot, gesturing for her to move aside.
To think Susan would dare pull such a stunt right under her nose!
"Lilian, I'm already seated. Why don't you sit on Oliver's other side?" Susan didn't budge.
Natalie was seated to Oliver's right. Since it was a couples' event, it was silently understood that spouses and partners would pair up.
Mia rolled her eyes and muttered to Ethan beside her, "Susan's got some nerve. Who does she think she is, trying to displace Natalie?"
Ethan glanced over twice and clicked his tongue in thought. He had initially, like many in their circle, believed Natalie was the homewrecker in Susan and Oliver's long-standing relationship, particularly since Oliver always took great care of Susan and Natalie was essentially a nobody, his wife through an arranged marriage.
But now, he admitted he had been blind.
Ethan sneaked a peek at Leonard, Susan's fiancé, who unbelievably wasn't upset at his bride-to-be flirting with another man.
Weird, he thought.
"OK." Natalie muttered. She certainly didn't want to sit beside Susan.
Just as she attempted to rise, her hands were firmly held down by a forceful grip.
Natalie's expression shifted subtly. What was he trying to imply...?
Oliver didn't look at her, but his hands accurately held hers down with a forbidding strength that made it impossible for her to stand, his intentions unquestionable.
Nobody else monitored the subtlety, except for themselves.
"Susan." Oliver uttered her name — a single word that carried an unmistakable command for her to change seats.
Susan's smile stiffened. Glancing around at the others who seemed to be merely spectators to drama, munching away quietly, she knew her reputation was at stake.
"Oliver, it's been a long time. I just thought..." she ventured.
"I didn't," Oliver cut her off, uninterested in her thoughts.
His brow lifted imperceptibly. "I thought I made myself clear this afternoon."
The memory of Susan's earlier rejection by Oliver resurfaced among the women, who couldn't resist smirking to themselves.
Women had a way of seeing through each other more clearly than men ever could. They collectively wondered, 'What's with Susan? Being brazen is one thing, but to willingly invite humiliation?
Catching wind of this, Natalie shot Oliver and Susan a puzzled look. "What happened this afternoon?"
Oliver turned to find Natalie tilting her head, examining him and Susan with eyes bright and clear, like a curious kitten.
"What are you looking at?" he joked, tapping her forehead lightly, mixing rebuke with affection.
Natalie covered her forehead and glared at him. "What was that for?"
Treating her like a child with a flick on the forehead—how utterly absurd!
Under the pressure, Susan sullenly moved a couple of seats over.
Lilian took the seat next to Oliver, and Lucas slid into the spot beside her.
"Susan, you do realize I'm not fond of you, right? How about you scoot over one more?" Lucas suggested earnestly.
"You..." Susan ground her teeth and shifted two more seats away, as if she had been eager to sit next to Lucas—such an arrogant kid with no sense of hierarchy or respect.
The game kicked off quickly.
A wine bottle was placed at the center of the round table. Spin the bottle, and whoever the neck pointed to had to answer a truth question from the next in counterclockwise rotation.
The rules were both simple and cliché, yet the thirst for gossip was evergreen.
Ethan stood up and gave the bottle a spin. It whirled into motion.
A minute later, the bottle pointed at Barrett, and as chance would have it, Cadence was the one to ask.
Barrett cursed under his breath and lazily threatened Cadence, "You'd better ask nicely, or you can kiss your paycheck goodbye."
"You think I wouldn't dare? It's all there in the contract. Withhold my pay and I'll take it up with your grandma—see if the family cuts you off when I tell them you hired me as your girlfriend for ten grand a day!"
Cadence had her question ready, grinning mischievously at Barrett, "So, what's your record time?"
"What do you mean record time?"
Cadence shot back, "Come on, what do you think I'm asking about? Don't play dumb with me, you're far from being a naive college boy!"
Barrett was annoyed, "What the hell kind of question is that? "
Cadence smirked, "Come on, don't be a sore loser. We're all adults here!"
Natalie instinctively glanced at Lilian.
"I'm an adult!" Lilian declared immediately, desperate not to be seen as a child. She was old enough in her home country—no question about it!
Barrett squirmed uncomfortably for a while before finally mumbling, "Five minutes."
"What? Hahahaha... Five minutes? Some game rounds don't even start that fast!" Cadence burst out laughing.
"Go ahead and laugh! Every guy's first time is like that! Ask Oliver if you don't believe me!" Barrett retorted, incensed by her laughter.
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